Cruise ships aren't just engineering marvels; they're also the home to the thousands of crew members who work onboard the ship to ensure that you have a memorable vacation. 

Since ships are essentially floating cities, there are all different types of jobs onboard, ranging from, of course, the Captain to nurses, cabin stewards, bartenders, photographers, electricians, and more. 

I recently cruised in one of the cheapest cabins available onboard Norwegian Dawn, which is one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s oldest ships. Norwegian Dawn was launched in 2002, making the ship nearly 22 years old. Norwegian Cruise Line has provided this older ship with plenty of upgrades, with a multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2016 and dry dock refresh as recent as 2021.

When you think of cruising, you probably think about all the awesome destinations and ports that can be visited. Did you know, however, that sea days can be just as fun onboard Disney Cruise Line? 

Looking for the best cruise deal and aren't sure where to start? You've come to the right place! 

While your first instinct might be to try and book through the cruise line, other options exist. From third parties to travel agents, each has its own pros and cons. Who doesn't want to save money and potentially score free onboard credit to spend on the ship?

It's important to understand the terms and conditions, though, as some may have less flexible cancellation policies. 

Here are the best ways to book your next cruise. 

This past year, I had a travel dream come true when I embarked on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy. 

I had dreamed about sailing on this ship as a child, and now I can look back and cherish the memories that I made while onboard! Since this was my first time sailing with Disney Cruise Line as an adult, I did a lot of research ahead of our cruise to learn everything I needed to know to make our cruise truly magical. 

While you might be familiar with tiny crew cabins, have you ever seen what a cruise ship Captain's living quarters are like?

The Captain is the individual who oversees all onboard operations, ensuring that the ship is safely operating during each and every sailing, so it makes sense that they have more space. 

Instead of bunk beds and shared bathrooms, Captains tend to have multiple rooms just to themselves. Plus, they'll often connect directly to The Bridge, which is where the Captain and other officers navigate the ship. 

We share lots of cruise updates and advice here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.

If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest look at the recent articles and updates we've shared

Should you buy a drink package on your upcoming cruise? The answer depends.

While there's a lot included in your cruise fare, alcoholic beverages usually will cost you extra, especially if you are sailing on a mainstream cruise line. Most cruise lines offer drink packages that allow you to drink a fixed number or unlimited beverages each day of your vacation without worrying about paying for each one individually. 

While one of the major appeals of booking a cruise vacation is the convenience, there's a lot of planning that goes into it before stepping foot onboard. 

From validating your passport to making travel arrangements, booking pre-cruise add-ons, and completing the online check-in, you're likely to have your cruise in the back of your mind for weeks leading up to the actual sail date. 

Rather than saving important tasks until the last minute, we've created the best pre-cruise planning checklist to ensure that you don't miss any steps!